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A shriek of fear was wrenched from her throat as the hedges parted and a large stallion burst onto the road. On top of the saddle was a caped form that seemed terrifyingly huge in the fading light.
Raine’s heart beat frantically against her chest as she wrenched the cart to a sudden halt. Oh, God. She had been a fool not to accept the vicar’s offer to accompany her home.
Perhaps sensing her frozen fear, the man urged his large steed forward, his face nearly hidden behind a thick muffler.
“Stand and deliver,” he at last growled.
Raine’s heart skipped and then plummeted to her stomach. Not in fear on this occasion. No. She recognized that voice.
“Philippe?” she rasped, her stunned astonishment turning to fury as he tugged down the muffler to reveal the painfully handsome features she had never thought to see again. “God Almighty, you nearly made my heart stop beating,” she said, her voice harsh.
His green eyes glinted with an indecipherable emotion as he moved forward. “Oddly, you have the same effect on my heart, meu amor.”
Her hands tightened on the reins, making the poor beast toss her head in protest. Bloody hell. She could not think, she could barely breathe, as she struggled to accept that Philippe was not some figment of a nightmare.
“What are you doing in Knightsbridge?”
“You are not a fool.” His lips twisted as he studied her pale face with a hungry gaze. “You know precisely what I am doing in Knightsbridge.”
Wounded pride came to her rescue as she gave a tilt of her chin. Just weeks ago this man had tossed her off his estate like a bit of rubbish. She would not fall beneath his potent spell again.
“Actually, I cannot imagine. You made it clear when you commanded me to leave Madeira that you were done with me.” She forced a stiff smile to her lips. “Is there another maiden in the village you have come to kidnap?”
Philippe lifted his brows in mild surprise. “Surely you cannot be angry with me, querida? It was you that refused my offer of marriage, and you that demanded to be returned to your father’s care. It is rather unfair of you to punish me for obeying your commands.”
“I am not attempting to punish you,” she snapped. “I simply do not believe we have anything further to say to each other.”
“We shall see about that.”
His bland tone gave her no warning of his intentions, and it was not until he had leaned forward to snatch her from the cart that she realized her danger.
“Philippe, stop this at once,” she squawked, finding herself settled on the saddle in front of Philippe with his arm wrapped tightly around her before she could even begin to struggle.
“No,” he retorted, urging his horse to turn about and head down the narrow path.
Raine clutched at his arm, fiercely aware of the hard strength of his body and the scent of his skin that cloaked about her with a tangible force.
Dear heavens. Even after he had shattered her heart, she still responded to him with a searing awareness that was making her heart pound and her blood race with excitement.
Blast the irritating man.
She might be furious with him, but a part of her still trembled with joy at his unexpected arrival.
“You cannot leave my horse in the middle of the road,” she charged, desperate to distract herself from her treacherous reaction.
“That nag will not stray far.” Philippe urged his mount to a faster pace. “I will send Swann back to collect her, although it would be kinder to cut her reins and let the poor beast free.”
“Kinder for me, as well,” she muttered.
He leaned down until his lips brushed her ear. “And what is that cryptic remark supposed to mean?”
Her breath caught as she closed her eyes against the heat spreading through her body.
“It means that you devote a great deal of time to carrying me off to one place or another. Usually without my consent.”
“If I were ever so foolish as to await your consent, meu amor, then I would never be able to carry you off.” His arm tightened about her, his fingers tantalizingly close to the curve of her breast. “An appalling thought that does not bear contemplating.”
Instinctively, she attempted to twist away from the seductive touch. “Philippe.”
